Former Galápagos Park Director Says His Ouster Was "Political"

Cecilia Alvear
TV journalist, Editor www.GalapagosDigital.com, former President of the National Assoc. of Hispanic Journalists

By George Lewis and Cecilia Alvear
http://www.galapagosdigital.com/2015/04/11/former-galapagos-park-director-says-his-ouster-was-political/

The former Director of the Galápagos National Park, Arturo Izurieta, is not going quietly. In a posting on his Facebook page Saturday (April 11) he says his ouster was a "political decision." He did not elaborate further.

George Lewis / Galápagos Digital
Arturo Izurieta, former Director of the Galápagos National Park (2014 photo)

"Though I respect it," Izurieta wrote, "I do not necessarily agree with it. However, I leave with the satisfaction of having straightened and improved many internal processes at the Park Service, and having improved transparency and relations with the community."

Ecuador Ministry of the Environment
Alejandra Ordoñez, new director of the Galápagos National Park

On Friday, the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment announced that Izurieta had been replaced by Alejandra Ordoñez, who had previously served as provincial director for the Ministry of Tourism and director of Public Use of the Galápagos National Park, focusing on improving conditions for tourists. Ms. Ordoñez has a Master's degree in public management, sustainability and competitiveness of tourism from the International University of Andalucia in Huelva, Spain

Izurieta, with doctoral and post doctoral studies in biology and park management from the Charles Darwin University in Australia, had been in the job for only a year and 8 months. "When I came here," he wrote, "I found a very well trained Park staff, both men and women, in the field, and in the office, who work hard in the four inhabited islands and remote places of our beautiful and unique islands."

And while the new director Alejandra Ordoñez has a background in tourism and might be considered friendly to the industry, at least one tour operator publicly criticized the abrupt change of park management. On its website, CNH Tours wrote: "CNH Tours is a bit concerned over this development - as we have heard no reason why Arturo would be asked to step down after only 20 months in office."

The site noted: "The Park Director job has in the past been a highly political one - and for a period between 2004 and 2007, 14 directors and interim-directors were cycled through the job, as local and national politicians sought to have their 'man' in the job (though after this chaotic period, it was a woman who was given the job)."

Some observers offered a positive assessment of Ordoñez. "At least Ms. Ordoñez knows Galapagos," said one scientist who didn't want to be identified, "and we expect there will not be a big change in direction."

Another longtime Galapagueño who also didn't want to be named said: "Ordoñez is very bright and has a good relationship with the Minister to whom she was an advisor."

The Park Director reports directly to the Minister and some of Izurieta's friends on Facebook said the appointment of Ordoñez to replace Izurieta was a case of political cronyism.

"I can never accept such absurd policies," wrote one.

"Arturo, it's a shame for protected areas to lose somebody like you," wrote another.

And this post: "Too bad for Galápagos."

Galápagos Digital has been trying to contact the Ministry of the Environment as well as the former and new Park Directors for comment but there has been no response so far. This story will be updated when developments warrant.

In his note, Izurieta urged Galapagueños to carry on without him: "I ask all of you to continue to do everything within your power to make sure our islands and protected areas remain a world example," he wrote. "Thanks again."